Despite rocky ending, Portch leaves Georgia better than he found it

Posted: Friday, May 11, 2001

When Stephen Portch assumed the helm of Georgia's university system in 1994, there were few bright spots to be found.

The state's smaller colleges and universities lagged far behind the system's larger institutions in resources and achievements. Even the state's flagship school, the University of Georgia, wasn't considered among the top public schools in the Southeast.

In his seven years as chancellor, Portch has been able to deliver vast improvements. There have been stumbles along the way -- most recently a $47.4 million shortfall in this fiscal year and $18 million projected for next year as a result of lower enrollments in the wake of the conversion from quarters to semesters. When promoting the conversion to the public, Portch and others had said the change would be ''cost neutral.'' Still, the successes far outshine the failures. As he prepares to step down from his post, Portch should be proud of his accomplishments.

A native of Somerset, England, Portch is responsible for the university system's 34 colleges and universities -- including the University of Georgia, and the system's 200,000 students, 33,000 faculty and staff and $4.3 billion budget.

Over the past seven years, the average SAT score for the university system's incoming freshman increased from 981 to 1021. Under Portch, the system appointed 23 of the state's 34 college or university presidents -- including Adams. Portch implemented the popular HOPE scholarship, developed a wide-ranging strategic plan for the future, expanded international programs and raised more than $1 billion in funding for construction. Portch also helped open up the resources of our colleges and universities to regular people throughout the state by creating the statewide GALILEO on-line library.

Portch has said he plans to stay with the university system until a new chancellor is found. After that, he intends to remain in Georgia and work in other ways to improve the quality of education in this state. Portch is stall a member of Gov. Barnes' Education Reform Commission. Barnes said he was pleased to hear Portch wants to stay involved.

''I don't know that enough people realize all that Stephen Portch has done for Georgia as chancellor,'' Barnes said. ''Our colleges and universities have grown in size, stature and reputation -- drawing students from throughout the state and the nation.

''He has been a great resource to me throughout the education reform process and I'm glad to know that he is willing to continue his relationship with the state of Georgia as we continue to make improvements.''

We would like to thank Stephen Portch for his efforts to raise the quality of education provided in Georgia's colleges and universities. And, we can only hope the next chancellor will continue to build on the foundation he created over the past seven years.

This article published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Friday, May 11, 2001.